What's the Best BBQ Option? Here's the Honest Answer
I get asked this question constantly: "Derek, what's the best BBQ option out there?" And every time, my honest answer is: it depends what you're optimizing for. Best for flavor is not the same as best for convenience, and best for a big family isn't the same as best for a small patio.
So instead of giving you one "winner" (like most listicles do), let's break down the best BBQ option by the category that actually matters to you.
Best BBQ Option for Flavor: Charcoal Kettle Grill
If flavor is your top priority, nothing beats a classic charcoal kettle. The combination of real wood/charcoal smoke and a tight-fitting lid for airflow control gives you a depth of flavor gas simply can't replicate. It's also shockingly affordable for what you get.
The Weber Original Kettle has been the industry benchmark for decades for a reason — porcelain-enameled bowl that won't rust or peel, a simple one-touch cleaning system, and a design that's barely changed because it doesn't need to.
Best BBQ Option for Convenience: Gas Grill
If you want to cook dinner on a Tuesday night without a 30-minute charcoal chimney process, a gas grill is your best option. Turn a knob, wait 10 minutes for preheat, and you're cooking. Modern gas grills also give you more precise temperature control across multiple burners, which is great for cooking different foods at once.
Best BBQ Option for Small Spaces: Portable/Tabletop Grill
Apartment balcony, small patio, or a grill you want to bring camping or tailgating? A compact charcoal or portable gas grill in the 14–18" range is the best BBQ option here. Don't be fooled into thinking "small" means "bad" — some of the best-reviewed grills on the market are compact models built for exactly this use case.
Best BBQ Option for Serious Home Cooks: Kamado / Ceramic Grill
If you're the type who wants to smoke a brisket for 12 hours on Saturday and sear steaks at 700°F on Sunday, a ceramic kamado grill is worth the investment. Thick ceramic walls hold heat incredibly efficiently, meaning better fuel economy and rock-solid temperature stability — something thin metal grills can't match.
My Honest Recommendation
If I had to pick just one grill to recommend to a random person with no other context, I'd still say a 22" charcoal kettle grill. It's the most versatile option on this list: affordable, durable for decades, capable of everything from a quick weeknight dinner to a full low-and-slow cook, and it has the lowest learning curve of any "real" BBQ method.
Quick Comparison
| Priority | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Flavor | Charcoal kettle |
| Speed/convenience | Gas grill |
| Small space | Portable/tabletop |
| Serious cooking/smoking | Kamado/ceramic |
About the Author
Derek Hollis has spent the last 12 years testing grills, smokers, and outdoor cooking gear for a living — first as a backyard hobbyist who couldn't stop buying grills, then as a full-time product reviewer. He's fired up and broken down more than 150 grills across every price range. When he's not testing gear, he's hosting backyard cookouts for friends and family in Austin, Texas.
